MLB News

Smoke signals

By
Jordan BastianMLB.com

• The Indians held a players-only meeting before breaking camp in Arizona on Saturday. First baseman Nick Swisher ran it by Francona ahead of time. Francona, who could not recall any of his previous teams holding a similar meeting in Spring Training, liked that the players took charge.

"As long as they're not planning a coup, I think it's great," Francona quipped. "We're so new, I think it's good. The more communication, the better. I've got no problem with it. They're all trying to do the right thing. That's what the idea was."

• The Indians held a players-only meeting before breaking camp in Arizona on Saturday. First baseman Nick Swisher ran it by Francona ahead of time. Francona, who could not recall any of his previous teams holding a similar meeting in Spring Training, liked that the players took charge.

"As long as they're not planning a coup, I think it's great," Francona quipped. "We're so new, I think it's good. The more communication, the better. I've got no problem with it. They're all trying to do the right thing. That's what the idea was."

• Right-hander Carlos Carrasco is technically on the Opening Day roster, but will not pitch for the team. Carrasco is serving a six-game suspension handed down by Major League Baseball for his part in a July 2011 incident with Kansas City's Billy Butler. Carrasco missed the rest of the 2011 and '12 seasons without serving the suspension due to a right elbow injury. He will be sent to Triple-A Columbus once his suspension is off the books.

• Veteran Jason Giambi, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain, and Kazmir, scheduled to be added to the roster on Saturday to work as the Tribe's fifth starter, both traveled with the Indians to Toronto for their season-opening series with the Blue Jays. Giambi is eligible to be activated on April 9.

Quote to note

"We respect what they can do. I hope we don't see it. I know they're very excited about what they've done, and it should be. I hope it all starts coming together three days from now."-- Indians manager Terry Francona, on the Blue Jays